The Soft Centre

Information resources for submissive people

And the people who love them

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The Pleasing Body

Resources for submissive sexuality

(Warning: Adult Content)

Erotic Surrender by Claudia Varrin, New York, Kensington, 2001 Offers a meticulous exploration of chivalrous female submission right down to what shoes to wear and what words to say. A very enlightening epilogue about how BDSM can lead to greater spiritual awareness. Sumptuous reading.

The leading UK BDSM site.

Screw the roses, send me the thorns by Philip Miller and Molly Devon, Connecticut, Mystic Rose, 1995 A classic book, both serious and funny. Detail about the emotional and deeper meanings behind BDSM as well as measurements for dungeon equipment and practical "how to flog" type information.

Submission at http://www.submission.org.uk/ Features a variety of resources for submissives in the UK, including safety guides and a mailing list, also contains a link to an inspiring article about “normal” submissive women entitled “The Healthy Female Submissive” by Yodah Toveh, in the ladies’ Submissive Scribes section.

The Castle Realm at http://www.castlerealm.com This important BDSM site offers a huge amount of information on many different angles of D/s relationships. It contains a large library of relevant articles including many inspiring views written by Lord Colm’s submissive partner jade

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The Passive Heart

Resources for submissive creativity

Between the Cracks by Gavin Dillard, San Francisco, Daedalus, 1996 A diverse, comprehensive collection of kinky verse from poets ancient and modern, famous and unknown, mild and wild. Illustrated with a few tasteful black and white photos of subjects being tied up, behaving like dogs and showing off their tattoos.

Nightwinds at http://gloria-brame.com/domidea/bdsmpoet.htm A kinky poetic e-book comprising of winning poems from Gloria Brame’s 1998 BDSM poetry competition.

The Coffee House at D/s Kiosk at http://www.cuffs.com/coffeehouse.htm Part of the well-archived Aladdin’s Cave of BDSM information at the D/s kiosk.

The Love Poems of Rumi, London, Rider, 1998, Simple pearls of romantic wisdom in poetic form. The ubiquitous Rumi is available everywhere from Waterstones to Coco de Mer.

The Submissive Heart at Castle Realm at http://www.castlerealm.com/poetry/poetry.htm Poetic words from submissive hearts presented in elegant form and decorated with roses.

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The Servile Mind

Resources for submissive psychology

Feel the fear and do it anyway by Susan Jeffers, London, Arrow Books, 1991 Offers a good explanation of how to come to terms and live with fear rather than attempt to overcome it. It gave me courage as I was approaching my first BDSM encounter. Like most self-help books it is best taken with a pinch of salt.

Pro-fem: Promoting Respect for Femininity: http://www.powerandlove.com/power/pro-fem/ Offers support for feminine women who choose to explore their submissiveness through BDSM and guidance for women who want to explore this side of themselves in other ways.

Steel Door Scrolls at http://www.steel-door.com/Chamber.html A comprehensive and enlightening archive of BDSM and D/s life-style articles.

The Book of Tea by Kakuzo Okakura, New York, Kodasha America, 1989 A great spiritual philosophy book that BDSMers have taken to their hearts. It was written to “Introduce Asian thought and civilisation to the West”. It extols the virtues of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility using tea as a metaphor. It is also short and easy to read!

The Surrendered Wife by Laura Doyle, New York, Fireside, 2001 A self-help book on how to surrender to your husband without letting him know you're doing it. I found it a helpful approach although I'm not sure how safe, sane and consensual it all is.

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The Surrendered Soul

Resources for submissive spirituality

Liberated Through Submission by P. B. Wilson, Bunny Wilson Oregon, Harvest House Publishers, 1997 A modern Christian woman’s views on what submission means in her marriage and what it means to her relationship with God.

Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance at http://www.religioustolerance.org/welcome.htm A detailed study of all kinds of religions from Christianity to witchcraft, from old time to new age.

The Power of Femininity by Michelle McKinney Hammond, Oregon, Harvest House, 1999 Religious instruction for Christian submissive women, aided by tales from the old testament. I found it very insightful, but a bit bigoted in places. The story of Ruth is my favourite.

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, London, Penguin Books, 1992 A favourite spiritual philosophy book among BDSMers. It contains pearls of wisdom such as “Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding” and “It is when you give of yourself that you truly give”.

World Religions: the essential reference guide to the world’s major faiths by Debbie Gill, London, Collins, 1997 A handy guide to different religions written by a wide range of religious believers including many illustrations and detailed background information.

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The SubVerse Poetry Tea Room

http://www.elle.finn.btinternet.co.uk/SubVerse.htm

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